The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1887-05-18
SELECTED.
LADY FREpERICk'S DIAMONDS

|, Arnold Bake, have had queer III
and down, ChcCkcrcd sort of life, and lln
til was nearing my forteth year wa,
most pcrsistrntly down in my luck
First, it was in Mexico that | tried m,
fortune, and failed. Then, tempted ul
al enthusiastic friend, went to Genof
and 5 up there in partnership with hin
aS II merchant. The life was yer,
healthy and happy one, but not what any
one could call pro table from IA pccunary
point of view in fact, quite the reverse
After few years, finding it impossible
with both ends stretched to the upper
most, to make them meet, we gave that
up, and moved on to Nice, where | hao
two or three substantial friends. Thcrt
things took Il turn for the better, and
gradually found Il niche for myself, in
time becoming quite an authority in my
0 vn small circle. Then, acting on good
advice. | started branch bank in connec.
ton with well known one in London
4 This answered fairly well: | had just a>
much work rs | cared to do, was able to
pay my expenses and had even begun td
lay by little hoard against the proyerb
ial rainy day. Nice was IL gay, bright
town to live in. and constantly met ole
friends and made many pleasant new
ones, who were passing through to tn,
South, or spending two or three months
there or at Monte Carlo, for the facinat.
lnS pleasure of either losing their Owl
money or making tidy little fortune out
of somebody elsc'S pocket.
one afternoon | was sitting in my
small counting-houSe waiting for tn,
English mail when tine door opened, and
in came an cd acquaintance, Sir Freder-
lex OConnor with parcel in his hand.
GLOW dye do, Blake" he said, checri-
~ ave come to you to get me out of n
difficulty. These are my wifc's jewels
why she has brought them with her.
family diamonds and all, passes my un,
derstandng. call it insane! Fact is,
don relish the idea Of waking up some
fine morning to find my throat cut.
want to know if you will be so good as to
keep them in your safe while we are here.
Whenever Lady O'Connor wishes to
dazzle her friends with them can easily
come round and ask you for what She
wants.
Naturally, | willingly consented to fin d
a corner for the jewels: and after | had
taken an inventory of them Sir Frcder-
ick himself placed them in an inner
compartment and locked the door. /
little thought what dance those con
founded diamonds would lead me.
A few days after this, at large garden
party, met Lady O'Connor, Young, pref
ty and happy-lookng. She shook hands
cordially, expressed pleasure at meeting
again and asked if thought the season
would be gay one.
''By-thc-by,' she said, "it is very kind
of you, Mr.. Blake, to take care of my
valuableS. Sir. Frederick was quite IN
despair about them until a happy thought
suggested YOU as their protector. am
going to trouble you for some of them
tomorrow Fed will call for them and
do not be surprised if you see him brist-
ling with howie-knives and revolverS, foi
he has IA fixed idea that the Nice rntiiau
has keenCr nose for other peoples prop
crty than any othcr rullian in the worl t.
| answered that her lovely jewels were
worthy of an escort armed to the teeth
and that | was very glad, indeed to be of
use to Sir Frederick and herself in any
way.
The morning after the garden-party-
it must have been about half-pa>t four OF
/ iivc--my sleepy senses were completely
scattered by my door being thrown VIC
lcntly open, and Roscoe, my combined
valet and commi>sionaire, quiet and re
spectful treasure, landing beside me AS il
shot out of II Catapult. | kne AT once
that something dreadful must have hap
pencd. Ruscovs face of horror and de
>pair would have made valuable study
or an artist.
sect sir, at once. and come down /,
the office. The safe has been broker
/ 81. a =